Where NYLCV Priorities Stand as Assembly Returns to Finish Legislative Session – New York League of Conservation Voters

2025 New York Legislative Session: Advancing Sustainable Development Goals through Environmental Legislation

Introduction

By Anna Buell

The New York State Senate concluded its 2025 legislative session by passing several priority bills championed by the New York League of Conservation Voters (NYLCV). These bills align closely with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those targeting climate action (SDG 13), sustainable cities and communities (SDG 11), responsible consumption and production (SDG 12), and good health and well-being (SDG 3). The Assembly has resumed session to finalize their legislative agenda, and NYLCV urges the passage of key environmental legislation.

For a comprehensive list of priority bills and their status, visit the 2025 Bill Tracker.

Key Legislative Priorities Supporting the SDGs

1. The Customer Savings and Reliability Act

Status: Passed the Senate; currently in the Assembly Corporations Committee.

This act (S.8421/A.8889) promotes affordable and sustainable energy solutions by reducing costs for ratepayers and advancing region-specific utility planning to decarbonize buildings at a neighborhood scale. It supports SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 13 (Climate Action) by encouraging responsible alternatives for heating, cooling, and hot water.

1. Eliminates the 100-foot rule that spreads new gas connection costs across all ratepayers.
2. Requires utilities to develop “Regional Savings and Reliability Programs” to enhance energy efficiency and reliability.

Advocate for the Assembly to pass the Customer Savings and Reliability Act.

2. Clean Fuel Standard

Status: Passed the Senate; with the Assembly Environmental Conservation Committee.

The Clean Fuel Standard (S.B. 1292) aims to reduce carbon emissions from vehicles by mandating the use of low-carbon fuels, directly supporting SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). Despite Senate approval in previous years, the Assembly has yet to vote on this critical climate legislation.

NYLCV calls for immediate legislative approval and gubernatorial signing, followed by prompt funding for implementation.

Urge your representatives to support the Clean Fuel Standard.

3. Packaging Waste Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act

Status: Passed the Senate; currently with the Assembly Ways and Means Committee.

Addressing SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), this bill (SB 4246) targets the reduction of packaging waste by shifting responsibility from consumers to producers. It mandates manufacturers to fund municipal recycling programs or create new ones, thereby reducing the 15 million tons of waste generated annually in New York.

Support the Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act.

4. Appraisal of Renewable Energy Systems

Status: Passed the Senate; on the Assembly floor calendar.

This legislation (A. 8332/S. 8012) clarifies taxation methods for solar and wind energy projects, fostering investment certainty and advancing SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 13 (Climate Action). It resolves legal uncertainties that threaten renewable energy development in New York.

5. The Beauty and Justice Act

Status: Passed the Senate; with the Assembly Ways and Means Committee.

Supporting SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), this act addresses harmful chemicals in personal care products. It promotes transparency and safer alternatives, aligning New York with other states like California and Maryland that have enacted similar protections.

6. Multi-sector PFAS Ban

Status: Passed the Senate; with the Assembly Rules Committee.

This bill targets per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), chemicals linked to serious health and environmental risks. By banning PFAS in consumer products, the legislation supports SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) by reducing contamination and exposure.

7. Rechargeable Battery Recycling Law

Status: Passed the Senate; on the Assembly Floor Calendar.

This law (S. 643-D/A. 7339-B) expands battery recycling to include lithium-ion batteries used in e-bikes and e-scooters, addressing SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). It also empowers New York City to enforce battery safety regulations, protecting both public health and the environment.

8. Enhanced Automatic Voter Registration

Status: Passed the Senate; with the Assembly Election Law Committee.

Recognizing the link between environmental health and democratic participation, this bill aims to strengthen democracy by improving voter registration access, supporting SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions). NYLCV advocates for its passage to ensure inclusive civic engagement.

Support Enhanced Automatic Voter Registration

Conclusion

The 2025 legislative session in New York demonstrates significant progress toward achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals through targeted environmental and social legislation. NYLCV continues to advocate for the Assembly to pass these critical bills and for the Governor to sign them into law, ensuring New York’s leadership in sustainability, public health, and democratic integrity.

Anna Buell is an undergraduate intern at the New York League of Conservation Voters and a third-year environmental studies student at New York University.

For a full overview of NYLCV’s 2025 priorities, see the 2025 State Policy Agenda.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
   • Related to legislation on building decarbonization, renewable energy appraisal, and clean fuel standards.
2. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • Connected through waste reduction, recycling infrastructure, and urban energy planning.
3. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
   • Addressed by Packaging Waste Reduction Bill and producer responsibility for packaging waste.
4. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • Legislation targeting carbon pollution reduction, clean fuel standards, and decarbonization efforts.
5. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • Related to the Beauty and Justice Act and Multi-sector PFAS Ban addressing harmful chemicals and public health risks.
6. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
   • Enhanced Automatic Voter Registration promotes inclusive and accessible democratic processes.

2. Specific Targets Under the Identified SDGs

1. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
   • Target 7.2: Increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.
   • Target 7.3: Double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency.
2. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • Target 11.6: Reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal waste management.
3. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
   • Target 12.5: Substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling, and reuse.
   • Target 12.4: Achieve environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle.
4. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning.
5. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • Target 3.9: Reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination.
6. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
   • Target 16.7: Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. SDG 7 Indicators
   • Proportion of renewable energy in the total energy consumption (implied by renewable energy appraisal and clean fuel standard legislation).
   • Energy efficiency improvements in buildings (implied by building decarbonization programs).
2. SDG 11 Indicators
   • Municipal waste per capita (implied by waste reduction and recycling infrastructure bills).
   • Air quality measures related to carbon pollution reduction.
3. SDG 12 Indicators
   • Amount of packaging waste generated and recycled (implied by Packaging Waste Reduction Bill).
   • Number of producers complying with waste reduction responsibilities.
4. SDG 13 Indicators
   • Reduction in carbon emissions from vehicles and buildings (implied by Clean Fuel Standard and Customer Savings and Reliability Act).
5. SDG 3 Indicators
   • Incidence rates of illnesses related to chemical exposure (implied by Beauty and Justice Act and PFAS ban).
   • Levels of harmful chemicals in consumer products and environment.
6. SDG 16 Indicators
   • Voter registration and turnout rates (implied by Enhanced Automatic Voter Registration legislation).

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

SDGs	Targets	Indicators
SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy	7.2 Increase share of renewable energy 7.3 Improve energy efficiency	Proportion of renewable energy in total consumption Energy efficiency improvements in buildings
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities	11.6 Reduce per capita environmental impact of cities	Municipal waste per capita Air quality measures
SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production	12.5 Reduce waste generation 12.4 Manage chemicals and waste safely	Packaging waste generated and recycled Compliance rates of producers
SDG 13: Climate Action	13.2 Integrate climate change measures into policies	Reduction in carbon emissions from vehicles and buildings
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being	3.9 Reduce deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals	Incidence of chemical-related illnesses Levels of harmful chemicals in products and environment
SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions	16.7 Ensure inclusive and participatory decision-making	Voter registration and turnout rates

Source: nylcv.org